With QPR looking to offload their highest earners on the back of Premier League relegation, the Congolese defender insists that he had planned to help fight for Championship promotion prior to the bid from Anzhi.

"I was getting mentally prepared for the battle in the Championship to come back up," Samba told The Daily Mirror. "[QPR owner] Tony Fernandes is a great man.

"Tony wanted to keep me and help him back up but I believe the offer from Russia was too good to let it pass by.

"I was not planning to go anywhere. I wanted to reward the club for their support by helping them come back up."

Samba explained his primary reason for choosing to return to Anzhi was that the Dagestan club are planning to help bring along his family to the country.

"My family are with me this time in Russia," Samba said. "That was a big part of my conditions.